Lifesavers urge caution near ocean

THE ocean is a notoriously dangerous body of water, but it’s going to be scarier than usual today and tomorrow with a southerly swell of up to five metres coming to Newcastle beaches.

Surf Life Saving NSW manager Andy Kent has pleaded with beach-goers to ‘‘heed warnings and assess the conditions’’ before venturing into the water to fish, surf, swim or boat this week.

Don White, Weatherwatch meteorologist, said Monday’s swell was tame compared to what Novocastrians should expect in the coming days.

He said it would get wilder this evening with more wind and rain along the coast.

Mr White said Wednesday’s swell would be between three and five metres with confusion in the tides with last week’s easterly swell still dying down and running into this week’s southerly.

While Surf Life Saving NSW warned swimmers to stick to patrolled beaches between the flags, Mr White said it would be best not to go in at all, and that it would be dangerous for swimmers and surfers alike.